Australia named two uncapped players in an inexperienced squad to take on India next month in its first home series since Steve Smith and David Warner were banned for a year following the ball-tampering scandal.
Marcus Harris
Sydney:
Usman Khawaja has recovered from the operation he underwent after injuring his knee against Pakistan and will bring some welcome experience to the top order of skipper Tim Paine’s side. Shaun Marsh, who has been in fine form with the bat recently, also offers plenty of Test match experience, while his all-rounder brother Mitch is one of the team’s vice-captains.
Middle order batsman Travis Head also made his debut in the series loss to Pakistan and retains his place in the squad while Peter Handscomb, who was dropped for the Pakistan series, returns for another chance to cement his spot in the side. Renshaw, South Africa-born batsman Marnus Labuschagne, all-rounder Michael Neser and fast bowlers Jon Holland and Brendan Doggett have all been dropped.
As expected, the first choice pace bowling attack of Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood remains intact while off-spinner Nathan Lyon’s spot was also guaranteed.
Tremain, who earned his place in the squad with three five-wicket hauls for Victoria, and highly experienced quick Peter Siddle are unlikely to get a run unless there is an injury or Australia decides to go with a four-pronged pace attack. The first Test against India begins on December 6.
Opening batsman Marcus Harris and paceman Chris Tremain were included in the 14-man squad announced on Thursday to take on top-ranked India in the first two Tests of the four-match series. Harris, who hit an unbeaten 250 for Victoria against New South Wales last month, was preferred to Matt Renshaw and looks likely to open the batting with Aaron Finch, who got his first taste of Test cricket against Pakistan in October.
Usman Khawaja has recovered from the operation he underwent after injuring his knee against Pakistan and will bring some welcome experience to the top order of skipper Tim Paine’s side. Shaun Marsh, who has been in fine form with the bat recently, also offers plenty of Test match experience, while his all-rounder brother Mitch is one of the team’s vice-captains.
Middle order batsman Travis Head also made his debut in the series loss to Pakistan and retains his place in the squad while Peter Handscomb, who was dropped for the Pakistan series, returns for another chance to cement his spot in the side. Renshaw, South Africa-born batsman Marnus Labuschagne, all-rounder Michael Neser and fast bowlers Jon Holland and Brendan Doggett have all been dropped.
As expected, the first choice pace bowling attack of Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood remains intact while off-spinner Nathan Lyon’s spot was also guaranteed.
Tremain, who earned his place in the squad with three five-wicket hauls for Victoria, and highly experienced quick Peter Siddle are unlikely to get a run unless there is an injury or Australia decides to go with a four-pronged pace attack. The first Test against India begins on December 6.